We went to church yesterday and heard a great message from Pastor John. We do love these pastors at our new church! As Pastor John was walking out, he stopped at our row and hugged hubby and talked with him a few seconds then reached in and gave me a big hug before he headed on out the door. As we were leaving the building, Pastor Lindsey was standing by the door, she saw me and grabbed me and gave a big hug and said 'we need to get together for lunch again soon'! And for me to send her a text to remind her that we need to get it set up. I mentioned in passing that I wanted to chat with her and Pastor John and was thinking of sending an email.... and she goes "Oh, you want to start a life group?" I laughed and told her that was something we needed to talk about... but that I had an 'experience' last week that I wanted to share with them.
I kid you not. Hubby and I went on to Cracker Barrel for brunch and before our meal even arrived, I had a text from Pastor Lindsey asking what happened and that she didn't want time to elapse on something unsolved if they needed to address it, that groups had been formed while they were on sabbatical, and although they appreciated the 'go ahead' of the staff, there was not training and instructions before they were formed. I shot back a quick email that nothing was unresolved, I just didn't feel welcomed to join a group and no one seemed to know what another group was planning to do. She sent a text right back again that she was sorry that happened to me, that they would like to talk with me further, and we will get together soon.
Someone actually cares what I/we think and feel and experience. Now that is being a true pastor - one who cares about their people - even though who are new and they don't really know very well! I can't wait to meet them for lunch - I hope their schedule (and mine) allows for it soon. Next week we are gone so doubt it will be this week - but will see!
I don't remember what is on my calendar for work this week, but I know my personal calendar is somewhat 'busy' with two doctor appointments and of course 'work'. I do have a meeting with my favorite boss today. We'll catch up on what we did over the weekend, then will talk about work. It's my 'ARC Review' which means we'll discuss any projects I've done, and what do I plan to do in the remaining of the year. I've already decided to increase my knowledge in PowerPoint. Glanced through the book a few times, but that's as far as I've gotten. She always words it to where I 'walk on water'. She has been so very good to me.
I heard some snarling outside so opened the shutters. LOL This little tiny dog is snarling at this huge dog walking (with his master) down the street. It was kind of funny... the man with the big dog just looked back at the woman with the little dog - that, I kid you not, she pushes in a baby carriage like a princess and shook his head. And it played out in front of our house. I imagine the woman wants to walk, and the dog can't walk, so she pushes in the baby carriage. It's a hoot.
James 4:6 (NKJV): But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
I am so grateful for God's grace to me. Some days it is all I can hang on it, when I go through some very trying circumstances. What about you? Have you learned about how precious His grace is? Have you asked for His grace to sustain you? Why not spend a little time talking with Him and seek His face and let go of what is troubling you? When you surrender your life to Jesus, He gives you all the grace you could ever want or need. Living in grace is much more powerful and peaceful, than living in self and sin.
As I sit here and wonder what to write next, these words come to my attention:
Reimagine what's possible. Rediscover your spark.
What am I reading those words from? The back of my Virta Health booklet. I know that it is applying those words to health - and we should imagine in our mind us having good health and rediscover who we can be if we get our health in order and live and move and breathe.....
But what if we applied those words to all of life? What if....(by the way, have you ever watched that movie? I love it and wish I had gone to the theater to see it last week, but did not.) what IF... we chose differently in life.... what would our lives be like now?
But even more so, what IF, we decided that today was going to be the day we took our health seriously and started making wiser choices on what we eat? I am not one to tell anyone what to eat because I can't remain consistent it seems. I do good for a few hours and then will sneak chocolate or a cookie or something. Which is why I can't drop this weight, I'm sure. It's why I avoid photos for I'm ashamed of what I look like. My daughter posted a photo of us a few years ago and the current photoshoot one of us... I look like a blimp in the second photo... but as much as I do not like the photo, that is obviously what I look like to others so just sucked it up and let it go.
If I want to change, I have to make the change.
And it's like following Jesus. If I want to change, I need to make different choices. I love this saying in the movie The Chosen.... Matthew is talking to Gaius, the Roman soldier. I forget what Gaius asks him, but Matthew looks at him and says (something like)....
"I have only one thing to do today. Follow Him."
And that is the one choice each of us have to make today. What will be your one choice? I'm choosing 'Follow Him."
Blessings!
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